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Multiple indices are available for measuring the performance of closed-loop systems, some of which are explored in the seminal work of Graham & Lathrop in 1953. In their paper, a determination is made of closed-loop transfer functions for optimal performance relative to the non-standard performance indices ITSE and ISTSE. A new approach is presented to calculate such metrics using Lyapunov matrix equations, and is validated by reproducing previous results.

As part of an NHS-funded research programme, pregnant women and mothers of preschool children were interviewed about their views on smoking in pregnancy and parenthood. Their partners were also interviewed where consent was obtained. In this paper, respondents' opinions on the perceived effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions aimed at pregnant women are reported. Research participants were able to describe a number of smoking cessation interventions that were perceived as being effective at preventing smoking activity during pregnancy. However, smokers reported less interventions than other respondents. Over half of smokers in the present study were contemplating cessation at the time of the interview, but none of these individuals had set a date to quit or made a plan of action on how to quit. While the majority of former-smokers and non-smokers felt that health professionals were the ‘right people' to give smoking cessation advice to pregnant women, nearly all of the current smokers disagreed with this statement. Therefore, health professionals' need to be aware of individual differences in how their patients interpret evidence-based information on smoking cessation and plan interventions accordingly.

A qualitative study was undertaken to explore social attitudes towards smoking by pregnant women, mothers of preschool children and their partners based in Merstham and Horley, East Surrey. All respondents felt that smoking in pregnancy was associated with considerable social stigma and negative social attitudes. Non-smokers were particularly negative in their views on smoking in pregnancy feeling that it was socially unacceptable. Women who smoked during pregnancy reported various negative social experiences such as receiving criticism from health professionals and community associates. They reported feeling under pressure to quit to achieve social acceptability as much as for health improvements. Some pregnant smokers denied smoking to health professionals, partners and colleagues and used private smoking places out of public view to reduce the chances of detection. Women who smoked or had a partner who smoked were more accepting of smoking in pregnancy than non-smokers and former smokers. Moreover, residents from the more socio-economically deprived area of Merstham were more tolerant of smoking in pregnancy and parenthood, compared to Horley-based respondents, regardless of their personal smoking status. They gave examples of local women they knew who had smoked in pregnancy without apparent complication. While all respondents were aware of health risks associated with smoking, smokers did not feel the risks were personally relevant to them and were exaggerated in an anti-smoking society. Health professionals need to be aware that pregnant women may not disclose smoking activity due to perceived social stigma and may require more intensive smoking cessation support services in socio-economically deprived areas.

This paper presents some of the findings from the Smoking in Pregnancy study of attitudes towards smoking among pregnant women, mothers of young children and their partners in East Surrey. As part of the study, respondents completed a General Health Questionnaire to identify mental health difficulties and, if they were smoking at the time of the study, they also completed the Fagerstrom nicotine addiction test. Eleven female respondents had high scores on the General Health Questionnaire, suggesting symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or social dysfunction for these women. There was no evidence that smokers were suffering from greater mental health difficulties than ex-smokers or non-smokers. However, the General Health Questionnaire scores of smokers were positively associated with their level of nicotine dependence. Furthermore, when General Health Questionnaire scores of all respondents were compared with self-reported health status there was a marked discrepancy suggesting under-reporting of symptoms ...